Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Gallows?

\Gal"lows\, n. sing.; pl. {Gallowses}or {Gallows}. [OE. galwes, pl., AS. galga, gealga, gallows, cross; akin to D. galg gallows, OS. & OHG. galgo, G. galgen, Icel. g[=a]lgi, Sw. & Dan. galge, Goth. galga a cross. Etymologically and historically considered, gallows is a noun in the plural number, but it is used as a singular, and hence is preceded by a; as, a gallows.] 1. A frame from which is suspended the rope with which criminals are executed by hanging, usually consisting of two upright posts and a crossbeam on the top; also, a like frame for suspending anything. So they hanged Haman on the gallows. --Esther vii. 10. If I hang, I'll make a fat pair of gallows. --Shak. O, there were desolation of gaolers and gallowses? --Shak. 2. A wretch who deserves the gallows. [R.] --Shak. 3. (Print.) The rest for the tympan when raised. 4. pl. A pair of suspenders or braces. [Colloq.] {Gallows bird}, a person who deserves the gallows. [Colloq.] {Gallows bitts} (Naut.), one of two or more frames amidships on deck for supporting spare spars; -- called also {gallows}, {gallows top}, {gallows frame}, etc. {Gallows frame}. (a) The frame supporting the beam of an engine. (b) (Naut.) Gallows bitts. {Gallows}, or {Gallow tree}, the gallows. At length him nail['e]d on a gallow tree. --Spenser.